Pittsburgh Pirates - PlayerWatch

June 29, 2012|Reuters

RHP A.J. Burnett won his eighth start in a row, the best such streak for the franchise since Dock Ellis did likewise in 1974.

RHP Brad Lincoln, moved back to the bullpen over the weekend, still might get a spot start, manager Clint Hurdle said. That makes it sound unlikely that anyone would be promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis in the event of a sudden need. "I want to be part of this team and part of something great that runs through Pittsburgh," Lincoln said. "If that requires me to be in the pen and rotation, back and forth, so be it."

RF Jose Tabata is in jeopardy of being sent to the minors because of his .226 average and generally spaced-out play. "One thing you can bring every day is your attitude and your effort," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I demand that, and I think we've had some disconnects with that."

3B Pedro Alvarez snapped out of an 0-for-8 with a line-drive home run inside the right-field foul pole. He's batting .381 (16-for-42) over his last 12 games.

LF Drew Sutton was moved to leadoff in his second start with the Pirates and responded by going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run. With as miserable as the team has been at leadoff, don't rule out Sutton staying there.